Cozying Up To The Navy

This Just In

March 27, 2005

Schedulers are working on a trip to Virginia for County Mayor Rich Crotty, where he plans to lobby Navy brass about increasing the service's presence in Central Florida.

Crotty is tentatively set to fly to Norfolk next month to meet with admirals John Nathman and Edmund Giambastiani Jr. Nathman is vice chief of Naval Operations; Giambastiani is one of two strategic commanders with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

County officials say the goal is to persuade military leaders to tighten their ties with the University of Central Florida and the adjacent Central Florida Research Park.

Just a few months ago, university leaders hailed the opening of a $20.5 million building where the top two floors are used by the Army and Marine Corps for training and simulation. A nearby building has simulation research for NAVAIR, the Naval Air Systems Command.

Although such a cozy relationship with the military makes some people uncomfortable, supporters say the armed forces bring civil service and industry-related jobs, grants and research with them.

Crotty's trip also would serve for some last-minute lobbying before the Pentagon decides for the first time in more than a decade which of its 425 domestic bases to shut down or scale back -- something that has local and state officials across the country nervous.